The Shape of the Handle

Western straight razors tend to have a more extended handle, which means that you have greater control over how effectively your razor can actually shave your face.

The Kamisori is entirely different in its handle. Usually, a Kamisori handle is wrapped and is also made of steel. These handles are also smaller than their Western counterparts.

The Size of the Blade

Western straight razors come in many different sizes which can make it difficult to find a straight razor that is capable of getting into the smaller areas of your face.

The Kamisori blade is smaller, front weighted, and designed to be able to get smaller facial areas and handle more detailed work.

Lefties and Righties

With a Western straight razor, you don’t have the option of choosing right or left straight razors. Instead, you adjust based on the angle of the handle regardless of whether you are a rightie or a leftie.

Kasimori blades are designed to be either right-hand or left-hand friendly, which makes a Japanese straight razor far more personalized for each user.

Buying a Western or Japanese Straight Razor

There are a few things you need to think about in deciding which kind of blade you want. It’s not as difficult as you might think because there are a few specific questions you need to answer if you intend on getting better acquainted with either of these options.

Do you intend to groom a beard? Yes means Kamisori blade is better for you. No means you’re fine with a Western design.

Do you want something that looks fancy? Yes means Western, no means a Japanese straight razor is in your future.

Is your hair coarse? Thick hair that is also coarse is better off with a thick Western razor, or a larger Japanese straight razor.

What is the climate like where you are? Stainless steel is the way to go to prevent moisture and rust.

The Shaving Experience

Straight razors give some of the best shaves around, but they take practice. The Kamisori blade takes more time than the Western-designed blade to master, but the time is worth it.

A Western straight razor is typically only ground on a single side while the Japanese straight razor is ground on both sides. The difference in grounding gives Kamisori blades an edge to be better at providing a close and detailed shave when compared to the Western design.

The blade on the Kamisori straight razor also tends to be incredibly sharp compared to the Western design. The Western design is sharp, of course, but the Japanese straight razor is generally preferred by professionals purely because of just how sharp the blade is for the technique being used.

Learning the technique for a Japanese straight razor can bring your shaving prowess to a whole new level!

Understanding the Japanese Straight Razor

Shaving is more than a chore for the Japanese people. It is a real sense of expression, and there is an art to how it is done. A Japanese straight razor revolves around craftsmanship as well as construction materials in determining performance.

Japanese people hold shaving in high regard because shaving with the Kamisori blade is rooted in the Japanese culture. Some companies even have claims that go back hundreds of years. To pick the best blade, you want to compare experience against cost and select something reasonable based on what you find.

Once you make a decision, straight razors are quite simple to use. Practice your technique, and in no time, you’ll be enjoying a close shave that feels like a professional did it for you.